The Smith Clinic Newsletter ~ December 2018
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Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most joyful times of the year. From gifts under the tree to dinners with family and friends--the holiday is celebrated by all nationalities, ages and religions. But amid the hustle and bustle, family gatherings and gifts, let's take a moment to reflect on the true reason for the holiday--
Jesus Christ.
God sent His son, Jesus, into the world so he could become the Savior of the world. He paid the price for the sins of humanity by dying on the cross.
John 3:16-17
says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." This is where we find the true meaning of Christmas: it's a celebration of His incredible and indescribable gift of love sent through His son!
Jesus' story is one of truth, love, and hope that brought salvation to all of humanity. Without the birth of Jesus Christ, there would be no hope of Heaven for humanity. With this in mind, may we celebrate this holy season with gratitude for what God did for us. May we remember His birth by worshiping Him and rejoicing in the promise of Heaven.
Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!
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Holiday Injury Prevention
With the holidays in full swing, you may have become more active in ways not typical during the rest of the year. Gathering those Christmas decorations in the basement or garage, climbing ladders to hang lights, or cooking a big holiday meal can put you at risk for injury. Maintaining safety precautions and being mindful of good body mechanics can help to ensure you enjoy the holiday season.
- When using a ladder, ensure it is locked in the open position.
- Never stand on the top two rungs of a ladder.
- Keep pathways clear of cords, decorations or boxes.
- Insure there is good lighting around stairways.
- Use a step stool rather than furniture to reach high spaces.
- Avoid overreaching when on a ladder or stepstool. Instead, take the extra steps to move the ladder/stepstool closer to the area you need to reach.
- If using a ladder to reach a roof, extend the ladder 3 feet about the edge of the roof.
In addition to falls, back injuries are also common during the holiday season. Heavy lifting, reaching into awkward spaces and repetitive twisting can increase potential for injury. When decorating or preparing your holiday meal, do your best to use proper body mechanics to prevent being out of commission during your celebrations. Some reminders for using good body mechanics are:
- Ask for help.
- If moving furniture, push rather than pull the item. Lean into the furniture and use your legs to move forward. Don’t push with just your arms as this will strain your back.
- If decorating with items stored in a box, place the box on a higher surface rather than the floor. Avoid repetitive bending and twisting.
- To place something into, or take out of the oven, position yourself to the side of the oven and crouch down as far as you can to be closer to the pan. Better yet, get help for those heavier dishes.
Finally, be mindful of your fatigue. Mental and physical fatigue will make you less attentive to what you are doing and may result in injury. Taking periodic breaks will allow you to stretch your energy more than powering through every task.
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Strategies for Staying Healthy this Holiday
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Pecan pie! Honey-glazed ham! Candy cane truffles! Holiday food can inspire anxiety or bliss—or both—depending on your mind-set. Here’s the good news: The average weight gain for the holiday season is just one pound. Now for the bad: While that might not sound like much, research shows we don't lose it, and that one pound can add up year after year.
Sweet treats and rich meals can be landmines for health-conscious people, yet no one wants to feel deprived during the happiest season of all! No need to fear, though...there are sensible ways to navigate this territory.
For starters, instead of piling your plate a mile high with things that don’t really tantalize your taste buds, pick only the foods that give you true enjoyment. In other words, if something doesn’t make you swoon, leave it on the sideline.
Often times, people eat particular foods like pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving or down cups of eggnog at a Christmas party because "that's what we do during the holidays." Noshing without thinking about what you’re putting into your body and why makes you ignore your internal cues of hunger and satiety. Do you really even like pumpkin pie or eggnog? Or if you could have any treat, would you choose your favorite ice cream or pecan pie instead? Just because it’s limited doesn’t mean you have to eat it.
Something else to consider: Don't be fooled by the "health halo." Sad-but-true, you can gain weight even if you eat healthy. For instance, you can overdo it with the veggies and dip or creamy
asparagus soup
, just like you can with ice cream (except with the ice cream at least you know it’s an indulgence). So, make sure you're not eating something based solely on its health-food aura and keep an eye on your portion sizes.
And, speaking of portion sizes, try to remember that to "trim the trimmings". If you think about it, most traditional holiday dishes are really not that unhealthy—think lean
turkey
,
roasted vegetables
,
nuts
—but adding in all the additional trimmings to the dishes are what make the calories soar into the stratosphere. Simply eliminate extras such as gravy, cream sauces, butter, and crust on pies, and you'll axe loads of unnecessary calories and fat.
Lastly (and possibly the most importantly), go to social gatherings to gather, not to eat. You go to family gatherings, work parties, and other social events to see your friends and loved ones—so see them! Use these times to socialize and be present rather than rummaging for holiday treats. A good way to do so, is to "pre-eat" something with protein and vegetables to stabilize your blood sugar so you can keep your focus where it belongs: on present company.
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The Smith Clinic will be closed on the following dates:
Monday, December 24
Tuesday, December 25
Tuesday, January 1
*Monday, December 31 - closing at 5pm
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